Leadville’s clock is ticking, and Saturday will be here in a moment that seems to last an eternity. I’ve been looking forward to a return to Leadville for some time and I will not be disappointed. The competition is stacked… as it seems to always be these days. I’ve put in the miles and the time of training, so to wait and trust that I am indeed ready. This week I’ve been resting up and preparing mentally for a long day. I go to bed and Leadville is on my mind. I think of all the training that I’ve put in. I wake up and Leadville is already on my mind. Hours of running, joy and pain, laughter and crying mixed with desire and heart. It will be great. I am prepared. I am ready. I am a Timmy.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Summer
Summer… It has been balanced and even, beautiful and eventful, with a small dash of spontaneity and a large dash of adventure thrown in as well. In early June Lynnette and I went out to Virginia. This was to be our 5th honey moon (I think). It was full very little running, lots of sights to see, and one solid race. We landed in Dulles Airport, drove north a few miles to the Potomac River. Here was were the 50 mile North Face race “DC” race was to be held. The following morning dark and early the race got underway just as the first daylight rays were touching the sky. I started off easy as the pace set by the leaders seemed a bit overwhelming. This was my first race in almost 2 months. I had had to deal with a planter fasciitis in my foot the previous month and was finally starting to feel good. I wanted a good race, consistent and strong. I was tied with Dennis Ball and 1 other runner in about 10th place. The 3 of us settled into a solid consistent pace and just rattled off the miles slowly passing runners.
We chatted away and slowly made up ground as we passed the slowing lead runners. By mile 20 it was just Dennis and I as we had moved up to 6th and 7th place. At the half way mark the time was about 3:17. I managed to move up one more place during the second half, running about a 3:25. I finished in 5th place in a time of 6:42:05. I was really happy with my race simply because I felt like I ran consistent. The race went by the Great Falls of the Potomac http://www.nps.gov/grfa/naturescience/falls.htm which I highly recommend visiting. It was a little surprising suddenly seeing and hearing such a force of nature.
Our Virginia trip was amazing. Lynnette and I stayed with our Aunt Rosily and Uncle Lenard, picked snow peas, visited West Virginia, went up Spruce Mt the highest point West Virginia, went to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Madison’s Montpelier, and George Washington’s Mt Vernon. We also flew over the Shenandoah Valley in Mark and Sue’ 2 seater airplane (our cousin). We went to the National Mall where we visited 10 museums and to Arlington where we saw the changing of the guard.
Upon arriving back in Gunnison I promptly packed and left within days for a 2 week adventure to the West Coast. Scott Drum, Duncan Callahan http://strategicendurance.com/ , Ryan Burch http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/ , and I left for CA. Ryan was going to run the Western States 100 mile race where I paced him. Unfortunately, do to poison oak Ryan had to drop out of the race. Ryan drove back with Nick Clark http://www.irunmountains.blogspot.com/ while Duncan flew back. Meanwhile, Scott and I drove up North. We spent the next week as a sort of running and climbing camp. We ran daily and climbed Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, and Mt Baker.
At the end of the 2 weeks I felt strong and ready for some solid training. Since being back in Gunnison I had a great month of training, with lots of miles and mountains. Last week I had my last hard long run prior to Leadville. I ran the first 40 miles of the course. I finally feel ready. Leadville is going to fun, it is going to hurt, it is going to be epic.
We chatted away and slowly made up ground as we passed the slowing lead runners. By mile 20 it was just Dennis and I as we had moved up to 6th and 7th place. At the half way mark the time was about 3:17. I managed to move up one more place during the second half, running about a 3:25. I finished in 5th place in a time of 6:42:05. I was really happy with my race simply because I felt like I ran consistent. The race went by the Great Falls of the Potomac http://www.nps.gov/grfa/naturescience/falls.htm which I highly recommend visiting. It was a little surprising suddenly seeing and hearing such a force of nature.
Our Virginia trip was amazing. Lynnette and I stayed with our Aunt Rosily and Uncle Lenard, picked snow peas, visited West Virginia, went up Spruce Mt the highest point West Virginia, went to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Madison’s Montpelier, and George Washington’s Mt Vernon. We also flew over the Shenandoah Valley in Mark and Sue’ 2 seater airplane (our cousin). We went to the National Mall where we visited 10 museums and to Arlington where we saw the changing of the guard.
Upon arriving back in Gunnison I promptly packed and left within days for a 2 week adventure to the West Coast. Scott Drum, Duncan Callahan http://strategicendurance.com/ , Ryan Burch http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/ , and I left for CA. Ryan was going to run the Western States 100 mile race where I paced him. Unfortunately, do to poison oak Ryan had to drop out of the race. Ryan drove back with Nick Clark http://www.irunmountains.blogspot.com/ while Duncan flew back. Meanwhile, Scott and I drove up North. We spent the next week as a sort of running and climbing camp. We ran daily and climbed Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, and Mt Baker.
At the end of the 2 weeks I felt strong and ready for some solid training. Since being back in Gunnison I had a great month of training, with lots of miles and mountains. Last week I had my last hard long run prior to Leadville. I ran the first 40 miles of the course. I finally feel ready. Leadville is going to fun, it is going to hurt, it is going to be epic.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Fruita: Desert RATS 25 miler
What a great weekend in Fruita! I had had a difficult week this last week just feeling slow, lethargic, and drained. But the weekend did come and Duncan http://duncancallahanrunning.blogspot.com/ and I drove off Friday afternoon for Fruita. I had been planning on running the 50 mile race in Fruita but decided on Friday to back it off and run the 25 miler. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body. Duncan and I picked up our packets and headed off for an early bedtime at our hotel. We were big time’in it as Duncan, Adam St Pierre, and I had decided to get a luxury… a motel. I slept well and rolled out of bed around 4:40am.
We arrived at the start about 5:50 just in time to get a decent parking place. It was cold out, so after checking in I waited in the car to stay warm for the 6:30 start. Finally it was race time! I went up to the line and chatted with a few runners. I was still debating about what to whether or not to wear my long sleeve when Ryan Burch http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/ showed up convinced me to drop it… I’m glad I did. Ryan was dong a 25 mile training run and ran the course in the opposite direction.
Shortly after I heard a countdown: 10,9,8… and then we were off. There was a $100 premium at 1.3 miles in. I was just planning on a fast run to get to it but Daniel Goding was off racing. This in turn meant that I had to really haul. I got to it in about 7:15… I guess it was a 5:20 first mile. I slowed up let Daniel have the lead and tried to recover after such a hard effort. My throat felt scratchy and my lungs felt off after breathing in the cool early air. Dylan Bowman http://dylanjbowman.blogspot.com/ was right behind me but he was content to take it easy for the first few miles. I sipped water to pacify my sore throat. Another runner came and passed us but he and Dan were only 30 yards ahead of us so I just sat tight.
After the first aid station at mile 6 (our time was about 42 minutes) I was finally feeling ready to start rolling again. There was a short hill where Dylan and I caught up to the two leaders and passed them. This was about 7 miles in. From here Dylan and shared the lead at a solid clip. The pace promised that race was now between us yet was relaxing enough not to proverbially kill us. Just before the 12.5 mile aid station was a short climb where I took the lead with a little surge. A minute later I ran through the aid station as Dylan stopped for fuel. I was feeling strong and just started rolling down the miles. The single track terrain made this maddeningly fun. I was crazy and knew it and loved it. The views of the remote meandering ribbon strip Colorado with adjacent cliff and broad precipices all the time side by side to the single track were majestic.
I had built up a 40 second lead i guessed and kept rolling. I hit the mile 19 aid station at 2:20ish. After this is an 800 foot climb up Mack Ridge. I felt a slow and tired going up the ridge, but on top I felt like I was able to start rolling again. The finish finally showed up… I ran 3:09:10. Dylan ran a great time of 3:11:50. Full results are here: http://geminiadventures.com/new/?page_id=125
Duncan ran great in the 50… he won it.
A solid weekend for Gunnison…now to get more base under me… and a 50.
We arrived at the start about 5:50 just in time to get a decent parking place. It was cold out, so after checking in I waited in the car to stay warm for the 6:30 start. Finally it was race time! I went up to the line and chatted with a few runners. I was still debating about what to whether or not to wear my long sleeve when Ryan Burch http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/ showed up convinced me to drop it… I’m glad I did. Ryan was dong a 25 mile training run and ran the course in the opposite direction.
Shortly after I heard a countdown: 10,9,8… and then we were off. There was a $100 premium at 1.3 miles in. I was just planning on a fast run to get to it but Daniel Goding was off racing. This in turn meant that I had to really haul. I got to it in about 7:15… I guess it was a 5:20 first mile. I slowed up let Daniel have the lead and tried to recover after such a hard effort. My throat felt scratchy and my lungs felt off after breathing in the cool early air. Dylan Bowman http://dylanjbowman.blogspot.com/ was right behind me but he was content to take it easy for the first few miles. I sipped water to pacify my sore throat. Another runner came and passed us but he and Dan were only 30 yards ahead of us so I just sat tight.
After the first aid station at mile 6 (our time was about 42 minutes) I was finally feeling ready to start rolling again. There was a short hill where Dylan and I caught up to the two leaders and passed them. This was about 7 miles in. From here Dylan and shared the lead at a solid clip. The pace promised that race was now between us yet was relaxing enough not to proverbially kill us. Just before the 12.5 mile aid station was a short climb where I took the lead with a little surge. A minute later I ran through the aid station as Dylan stopped for fuel. I was feeling strong and just started rolling down the miles. The single track terrain made this maddeningly fun. I was crazy and knew it and loved it. The views of the remote meandering ribbon strip Colorado with adjacent cliff and broad precipices all the time side by side to the single track were majestic.
I had built up a 40 second lead i guessed and kept rolling. I hit the mile 19 aid station at 2:20ish. After this is an 800 foot climb up Mack Ridge. I felt a slow and tired going up the ridge, but on top I felt like I was able to start rolling again. The finish finally showed up… I ran 3:09:10. Dylan ran a great time of 3:11:50. Full results are here: http://geminiadventures.com/new/?page_id=125
Duncan ran great in the 50… he won it.
A solid weekend for Gunnison…now to get more base under me… and a 50.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Salida Run Through Time Marathon
Me, Super Ultra Running legend Bill Dooper, and Ryan Burch (photo by Burch)Hi everyone. After some much need time off from the unknown blog world I have returned. I’m fit and ready for a great season. I’ve raced twice this year. Last month I ran the Moab Red Hot 55K. http://www.grassrootsevents.net/node/2 Without too many details I ran hard but hydrated poorly and bonked with 2 miles to go. I hobbled in the last two miles being overtaken by Dakota Jones who won in 4:02, while I came in second at 4:06.
This last weekend I ran the Salida Run Through Time Marathon http://salidarec.com/ccrc/
The race had some difficulty getting the proper permits for their traditional run therefore, they had to change the course. New this year was a fantastic 5 mile single track addition.
Lynnette and I drove over in the morning with Cody and the race was soon underway. It went out relaxed compared to previous years. By mile 1 there was the front pack consisting of Nick Clark http://www.irunmountains.blogspot.com/ , Ryan Burch http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/ , Dan Vega, and I.
Nick and I were leading the procession. We hit the incline, which is really a 7 mile long hill with 2000 feet gained. From here I started an up-tempo pace. I was able to gain about 20 seconds on Nick but no more. At the 2nd water station somewhere near 7 miles I hit an almost identical time compared to years past. I was at 51 minutes. I grabbed a quick drink and left only to see Nick was right on my heels. I pressed on a little harder trying to put a gap between Nick and I. I got to the modified and early turn around (because of the modified course) at 1:14:20. I then timed the run back to Nick. It was 40 to 45 seconds which meant I was 1:20 to 1:30 ahead. This was a small lead but I’d take. Dan and Ryan were in close pursuit. I started hammering back to the aid station (the one I went by in 51 minutes). I felt great. Then ½ a mile before the aid station I got a side cramp that slowed me down considerably. I felt like dropping out of the race.
I slowed up and regrouped mentally. I got to the aid station took more water and left. I could see Nick now again. He had caught up and was only 20-30 seconds back again. I decided not to worry and just take it easy. Over the next 3 miles the side cramp would come in go with less intensity. Finally it left. At bends in the trail and roads I’d see Nick. I was slowly gaining on him.
I hit the 20.1 aid station at 2:19. This was where the trail deviated from past years onto the new single track. I was in my element on it and figured I had a 90 second lead over Nick. It was hard to maintain a quick pace as the track meandered constantly. The single track ran down the front of “S” Mountain in Salida and the race finished. I won for the 3d year in a row with a time of 3:05:50 about 3 minutes ahead of Nick, who was closely followed by Dan and Ryan.
This last weekend I ran the Salida Run Through Time Marathon http://salidarec.com/ccrc/
The race had some difficulty getting the proper permits for their traditional run therefore, they had to change the course. New this year was a fantastic 5 mile single track addition.
Lynnette and I drove over in the morning with Cody and the race was soon underway. It went out relaxed compared to previous years. By mile 1 there was the front pack consisting of Nick Clark http://www.irunmountains.blogspot.com/ , Ryan Burch http://ryanwburch.blogspot.com/ , Dan Vega, and I.
Nick and I were leading the procession. We hit the incline, which is really a 7 mile long hill with 2000 feet gained. From here I started an up-tempo pace. I was able to gain about 20 seconds on Nick but no more. At the 2nd water station somewhere near 7 miles I hit an almost identical time compared to years past. I was at 51 minutes. I grabbed a quick drink and left only to see Nick was right on my heels. I pressed on a little harder trying to put a gap between Nick and I. I got to the modified and early turn around (because of the modified course) at 1:14:20. I then timed the run back to Nick. It was 40 to 45 seconds which meant I was 1:20 to 1:30 ahead. This was a small lead but I’d take. Dan and Ryan were in close pursuit. I started hammering back to the aid station (the one I went by in 51 minutes). I felt great. Then ½ a mile before the aid station I got a side cramp that slowed me down considerably. I felt like dropping out of the race.
I slowed up and regrouped mentally. I got to the aid station took more water and left. I could see Nick now again. He had caught up and was only 20-30 seconds back again. I decided not to worry and just take it easy. Over the next 3 miles the side cramp would come in go with less intensity. Finally it left. At bends in the trail and roads I’d see Nick. I was slowly gaining on him.
I hit the 20.1 aid station at 2:19. This was where the trail deviated from past years onto the new single track. I was in my element on it and figured I had a 90 second lead over Nick. It was hard to maintain a quick pace as the track meandered constantly. The single track ran down the front of “S” Mountain in Salida and the race finished. I won for the 3d year in a row with a time of 3:05:50 about 3 minutes ahead of Nick, who was closely followed by Dan and Ryan.
At the Finish (photo from Ryan Burch)
My time for the last 3 years is as follows:
2009: 3:03:42 Course Record, fast day
2010: 3:13:17 Slow muddy slick day
2011: 3:05:50 Fast day slower course though, great time
I got to break 3 hours there one of these years…
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Fare Thee Well
Perhaps it has appeared, and rightly so… perhaps true, that I have given up on my blog. This seems to be the case as I’ve run 5 races and had not a single word on the blog. Excuse… check… I was busy. So to sum up my races… I ran the duo Pikes Peak races. In the Pikes Peak Ascent i was in the mid 30s (I think). The following day I was 6th in the marathon giving me first place overall for the duo. 2 weeks later I was 3d in the American Discovery Marathon on the Front Range in 2:40ish, 1 week later I was 3d at the Imogene Pass Run in 2:24, and then another 2 weeks later I was 25th in the Great Cow Harbor Race (NY) in 34 minutes.
So that being said… in a very short, hopefully concise, and most likely quite boring fashion …I am planning on stopping the blog. At least for the time being. I’m not giving up on it. I’m stopping it… huge difference.
The reason is simple: I’ll have time to write about my races and other adventures. Maybe in the future I’ll start writing on a blog again but for now I think it best to stop it altogether. That and I’ll have time to run and do other adventures.
Fare thee well, Timmy
So that being said… in a very short, hopefully concise, and most likely quite boring fashion …I am planning on stopping the blog. At least for the time being. I’m not giving up on it. I’m stopping it… huge difference.
The reason is simple: I’ll have time to write about my races and other adventures. Maybe in the future I’ll start writing on a blog again but for now I think it best to stop it altogether. That and I’ll have time to run and do other adventures.
Fare thee well, Timmy
Monday, August 9, 2010
Outdoor Retail Treadmill Challenge Salt Lake City
I drove down last week to Salt Lake City for the Oudoor Retail (OR) Treadmill Challenge. SportHill was participating in the Expo so I went down to show off their apparel. Checkout there website at http://sporthill.com/
The race is a 15 minute race run on a treadmill set at 10% grade. Whoever goes the farthest distance in the allotted time wins. The advantage to some and disadvantage to others is that there are only 2 treadmills so pairs of runners race off all day long. The runners later in the day have the advantage of knowing what pace they must go to beat the previous runners.
Photo taken by Ricky Gates
The race is more of a show than anything else. It is difficult to know exactly how far ahead (or behind) you are at any given moment. My goal was to put forth an honest effort and run over 2 miles. I was pitted against Tony Krupicka with favorites Max King and Ricky Gates scheduled for the last slot of time. The race is more of a mind game. Time slowly drips by like waves beating against a shoreline. The waves will wear down the shore but it seems like it takes forever. With about 5 minutes to I took off my jersey as it felt too sweltering hot inside. Results:
Tony Krupicka: 1.92 miles Ricky Gates: 2:06 miles
Me: 2:09 miles Max King: 2:14 miles
The race is a 15 minute race run on a treadmill set at 10% grade. Whoever goes the farthest distance in the allotted time wins. The advantage to some and disadvantage to others is that there are only 2 treadmills so pairs of runners race off all day long. The runners later in the day have the advantage of knowing what pace they must go to beat the previous runners.
Photo taken by Ricky Gates
The race is more of a show than anything else. It is difficult to know exactly how far ahead (or behind) you are at any given moment. My goal was to put forth an honest effort and run over 2 miles. I was pitted against Tony Krupicka with favorites Max King and Ricky Gates scheduled for the last slot of time. The race is more of a mind game. Time slowly drips by like waves beating against a shoreline. The waves will wear down the shore but it seems like it takes forever. With about 5 minutes to I took off my jersey as it felt too sweltering hot inside. Results:
Tony Krupicka: 1.92 miles Ricky Gates: 2:06 miles
Me: 2:09 miles Max King: 2:14 miles
9 for 9
Grin ‘n’ Bear It
Sorry folks about my lack of posts for the last month. I’m going to try and blog a little more and put up some more interesting pictures. I’ve had a great high volume month of training with many long runs and a few short races. On July 17th I ran my 9th consecutive Grin ‘n’ Bear it race in Crested Butte. This race was also the 9th race that Lynnette has been at. I won the race making it my 9th consecutive Grin ‘n’ Bear it win, and my 9th consecutive race I’ve won when Lynnette has been present at the race. The race is just an easy 9 mile race, 4 ½ miles out and then 4 ½ back. I gained somewhere around 1700 feet I think… more or less.
The race usually does not have stiff competition but I always race myself. I ran 1:07:12 compared to last year’s 1:05:40. I was quite happy with this time. Sure it was a 90 seconds slower but it was hotter this year as well. I have the course record set in 2005. This year’s time was my 4th fastest time. Here is a breakdown of the past 9 years with notes:
2002: 1:10:??
2003: 1:12:??
2004: 105:44 Tied old CR
2005: 1:04:23 No hill work, only speed gives me new CR
2006: 1:11:29 Recovering from a burnt out season
2007: 1:07:27
2008: 1:08:32 Fit! Take 2nd at Pikes Peak in 2:19:33
2009: 1:05:40 2nd fastest time ever, Win Leadville 100 in 17:27 and Pikes in 2:12:32
2010: 1:07:12 Fit… wait and see….
Sorry folks about my lack of posts for the last month. I’m going to try and blog a little more and put up some more interesting pictures. I’ve had a great high volume month of training with many long runs and a few short races. On July 17th I ran my 9th consecutive Grin ‘n’ Bear it race in Crested Butte. This race was also the 9th race that Lynnette has been at. I won the race making it my 9th consecutive Grin ‘n’ Bear it win, and my 9th consecutive race I’ve won when Lynnette has been present at the race. The race is just an easy 9 mile race, 4 ½ miles out and then 4 ½ back. I gained somewhere around 1700 feet I think… more or less.
The race usually does not have stiff competition but I always race myself. I ran 1:07:12 compared to last year’s 1:05:40. I was quite happy with this time. Sure it was a 90 seconds slower but it was hotter this year as well. I have the course record set in 2005. This year’s time was my 4th fastest time. Here is a breakdown of the past 9 years with notes:
2002: 1:10:??
2003: 1:12:??
2004: 105:44 Tied old CR
2005: 1:04:23 No hill work, only speed gives me new CR
2006: 1:11:29 Recovering from a burnt out season
2007: 1:07:27
2008: 1:08:32 Fit! Take 2nd at Pikes Peak in 2:19:33
2009: 1:05:40 2nd fastest time ever, Win Leadville 100 in 17:27 and Pikes in 2:12:32
2010: 1:07:12 Fit… wait and see….
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